Hair drier and method of manufacture



July 17, 1962 H. A. MAUCH ETAL HAIR DRIER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTUREFiled July 28, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS f/fl/VS 9. M/WICH HAM/0&0.5. MOO/F mm? ATTDRNEY.

July 17, 1962 H. A. MAUCH ETAL HAIR DRIER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 28, 1958 INVENTORS A. /7/7 ///7/1 file/V060 5.M00486 7/77/ 6 ATTURNEY.

July 17, 1962 H. A. MAUCH ETAL HAIR DRIER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE 3Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 28, 1958 Conn.

Filed .luly 28, 1%8, Ser. No. 751,426 16 Claims. (Cl. 34-99) Thisinvention relates to hair dryers and more particularly to a portablehair dryer of an improved nature.

Conventional hair dryers have proven to be relatively ineflicient,cumbersome, expensive and relatively uncomfoitable to use. A step in theright direction was effected by development of a portable drying hoodfabricated of light weight material. This, however, did not solve allthe problems in the art. A major problem remaining is evidenced by thefact the prior devices do not dry the hair in a uniform manner. 7

A further problem in use of prior art dryers is that it is necessary towear a hair net to hold a set in place. Without a net, the hair is blownabout quite violently, which disturbs any wave that has been set in thehair.

For optimum results, a hair dryer must dry the hair uniformly. Thismeans that the completion of the drying process must be simultaneouslyeffected over the en tire head. When hot dry air is blown against thewet hair to initiate the drying process, evaporation occurs, the waterin the air absorbing the heat and turning to steam. As long as theevaporation process continues, there is a complete absence of asensation of heat on the scalp, but if one section of the air driesprior to the rest of the head, the scalp in that one section becomessubject to direct attack by the high temperature drying air beingcirculated. This can not only cause discomfort but creates a possibilityof injury to the scalp.

The present invention was developed with solution of the problems of theprior art in view. It provides a light weight, inexpensive yet efiicienthair dryer of an improved nature which is equally safely adapted forprofessional or home use. It affords a flexible cap so designed toenable a head of hair to be uniformly dried in complete comport, thefirst sensation of heat signalling that the whole head of hair iscompletely dry. Invention embodiments avoid unnecessary circulation ofsaturated steam by providing an improved circulation and venting systemfor hair dryers, thereby attaining maximum operating efficiency andavoiding localized drying and hot spots in use. The invention furtherprovides embodiments capable of being effected simply and economically.

A primary object of the invention is to provide improvements in hairdryers rendering them easy and economical to fabricate, more efficient,safe and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety ofapplications and unlikely to have functional difficulties.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair dryer inthe form of an envelope type plastic cap inherently adapted to enclosethe hair and apertured to direct jets of drying air to the hair in amanner to produce an optimum uniform drying action with completeprotection to the skin and scalp of the wearer in the process.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hair dryerwhich avoids uncomfortable hot spots in use. I

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved lightweight hair dryer having means effecting a jet drying system enablingsimultaneous uniform drying of a head of hair.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified method of andmeans for effecting a flexible cap type hair dryer which afiords minimumdisturbance of the hair in the drying process.

3,M4,l83 Patented July 1?, i962 Another object of the invention is toprovide an improved ventilating hood for drying hair producing optimumair flow therethrough and avoiding hot spots on the head and attendantdiscomfort in the process.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hair dryer possessingthe advantageous structural features, the inherent meritoriouscharacteristics, and the. means and mode of operation herein described.

With the above primary and other objects in view as will more fullyappear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected byLetters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts andcombinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter describedor illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

In the drawings, wherein are illustrated preferred but not necessarilythe only forms of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a hair dryer in accordance with theinvention in operative position upon a womens head;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken partially in rear elevation andpartially in vertical section along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged detail sectional View of a central sideportion of the hair dryer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the top central seamstructure of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detail enlarged sectional view of the hem and drawstringstructure at the bottom edge of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the outer layer blank employed in theconstruction of the hair dryer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the inner layer blank;

FIG. 9 is a plan View showing the inner layer blank superimposed on theouter layer blank, and having vent holes and draw string hem providedtherein, the two layers being partially secured by heat welded areasdefining the vent holes and the draw string hem;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the assembled structure as seen in FIG. 9folded upon itself and secured along its top and forward edges by heatwelded seam, the completed hood being shown in inside-out relation withthe inner layer at the outer side;

FIG. 11 is afragmentary cross-sectional view of a preferred form of thehair dryer'of the nature illustrated in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 12 shows the one piece pattern employed in effecting the preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the pattern of FIG. 12 folded and showing theinner side to be provided the hair dryer cap in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the embodiment fabricated from thepattern of FIG. 12 as applied to a womans head; and

MG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line l5l5 of thedevice of FIG. 14;

Referring to FIGS. 1-10 of the drawings, a cap 10 is shaped to fitloosely about the hair of the user with a peak portion projectingrearwardly, the lower edge being gathered by an elastic draw string insnugly engaged relation about the head beneath the hair line. The cap 1%consists of outer and inner layers 11 and 12 of flexible air-impervioussheet material, preferably polyethylene film. As shown clearly in FIGS.710, the outer layer 11, FIG. 7, consists of two identical half sectionsdisposed to either side of a central fold line indicated by thedot-and-dash line 13, the lower edge 14- of each half section extendingfrom the fold line in a downward and outwardly inclined direction with aslight reverse curve to produce in the finished hood a substantiallyhead conto the inner side ofth'e outer layer.

isprovided an air inlet opening 16, about which there is securedby heatwelding a hose attaching flanged ring or bushing 17, preferably formedof a suitable thermoplastic material adapted for convenient heat weldingto the plastic material of the outer layer 11. At the lower end of thefold line a reinforcing patch 18, preferably of woven fabric material,is secured by "heat welding to the inner side of sheet 11 for thepurpose of receiving draw string threading holes. The inner layer 12 isidentical in outline shape to the outer iayer 11 being similarlyprovided with a central fold line indicated at 13, lower edges 14 andupper edges 15. Groups of perforations 19 are spaced over the entirearea of the inner layer 12, arranged in a uniform pattern. Theperforations 19 constitute air jet openings in the completed hood fordirecting =air inwardly to the hair enclosed by the hood. In practicethese jet openings are circularand have a diameter of the order of about;2 inch. a

As seen in FIG. 9, the inner perforated layer, 12 is superimposed inregistered relation to the outer layer 11. The layers are thensecuredtogether at spaced points". within spaced confining groups ofapertures 19 by a series a of ring-shaped welds 21 produced by suitablehigh frequency or electronic heat welding dies. These welds are arrangedin a predetermined pattern so that they are substantially evenlydistributed over the entire area of the hood. In the exampleillustrated, the welds 2d are equally spaced-along'transverse andperpendicular lines to form a squared pattern, the distance between thecenters of adjacent rings being on the order of about 2 inches, and theinside and outside diameters of each ring being respectively inch and 72inch. Centrally. of each welded ring 20 the superimposed layers are provided with a circular vent hole 21 which is on the order of about %g.inhdiameter.

The air jet holes 19 preferably are arranged in a pattern wherein-pairsof such holes spaced. about inch apart are provided centrally in eachsquare of the squared pattern'of the vent holes and also centrally alongthe sides of each square. Additional air jet holes.

, may also be provided beyond theouter vent holes as illustrated. Whilepractice has shown that the pattern arrangement illustrated is asatisfactory and efiicient one, it is understood thatother suitablepattern arrangements may be employed.

The lower marginal edge portion of'the superimposed layers is providedwith a draw string hem 22 by a pair of spaced parallel heat weldedstrips 23 and 24, the latter strip being substantially contiguous to thelower edge. The strip 24 provides a contiguous seal. along thelowermargin of the superimposed layers. A pair of draw string threading holes25 and 26 are provided in'the hem contiguously at each side of thecentral fold line, these holes extending through the reinforcing: patch18 secured Additional draw string threading holes 27 and Bare providedadjacent the respective ends of the hem. i 7 The construction of thehood is completed by folding it upon itself along the central fold line13 with the inner layer12' disposed outwardly as seen in FIG. 10. Thenthe four thicknesses of thefolded-over superimposed outer and innerlayers are secured along the upper edges 1 15 by a heat weldedseam29extending from the fold line to the ends of the bottom edge, thuscompleting the sealing of the space between the inner and outer layers.An elastic draw strin'gdtl is placed in the hem 22, its two ends beingfirst threa'ded, through the holes 27 and 28. at each side of the seam29 'where the latter closes the hem, and

' being then carried through the hem at each side with its ends carriedout through the holes '25' and 26 provided hereinafter more fullyappear,

4;- in the'reinforcing patch secured to the outer layer 11 at each sideof the fold line.

As seen in FIG. 10 the hood is in inside-out relation. By reversing thisrelation the seam 29 is in-turned, the inner layer 12 with the jet holes19 isdisposed inwardly, and the outer layer 11 with the inlet opening 16is disposed outwardly, as shown in FIGS. l-3. When not in use the hoodwill 'lie flat substantially in the position as shown in FIG. 10 withthe layers in flat contacting relation to each other.

in use the hood is placed upon the users head as shown in FIGS. 1-3,and'its lower edge is drawn into gathered relation about the head belowthehair line by the tightening and fastening the elastic draw string 30.A flexible air hose 31 is coupled at one end to the fitting 17 of theinlet opening 16 and its other end is connected to an electric airheating and blowing unit 32. Through operation of the unit 32 airunderpressure is admitted betweenthe layers of the hood, causing it toinflate or billow out in the areas between the vent holes 21, as shownin 'FIG. 3. V r

-It will be observed that the central seam 29 seals ofi one side of thehood from the other side from the forward center point of the hemresting upon the forehead to the rearward end of the seam where it formsa peak with the fold, and that along the fold the spaces between theouter and inner layers of each side are in communication. It will alsobe observed that the pattern of the vent holes provides an extendedspacing to either side of seam 29, the layers establishing extendedunsecured areas contiguous to each side of the seam 29. As heated air isintroduced through the inlet 16 it divides and flows through mainchannels along the respective sides of the seam to the front,simultaneously flowing laterally and substantially uniformly through theareas between the vent holes. The arrangement of the entrance hole 16 inthe rearward peakportion of the'hood removed from the hem line resultsin a rapid and uniform distribution of the heated air to all parts ofthe hood and'avoids a hot spot in the vicinity of the air inlet. As airunder pressure is admitted between the layers, the billowing out of thelayers produces a series of pockets or air chambers between theinnersurface of the hood and the head of the user, each of these pocketshaving a vent hole 21 at its center; As pressure is built up between thelayers, the heated air is ejected through the jet'openings 19 into andaround these pockets in the form of high velocity air jets, and becauseof the curved contour of the inner surface of the hood these jets aredirected contiguous to the vent holes. The hot air rapidly takes upmoisture, heating steam forming a layer over the head preventing hotsensations and as the turbulence is maintained through the continuedflow of the hot. air, the saturated steam is vented through the nearestvent holes 21. This action takes place substantially uniformly andsimultaneously over the entire areaof the head. Thus, the hair israpidly dried in the local areas related to each vent hole, withoutnecessity for the moisture laden air from the local areas being carriedthrough other and remote areas of the hair before it is vented.Moreover, the pattern of the vent holes preventsjthe cap from forming anuncomfortable insulating retainer of hot air.

A modification of the hair dryer of FIGS. 1-10 is shown in FIG. ll ofthe drawings which produces the invention embodiment in'a preferredformi The con-' struction of the dryer cap, shown in fragmentarycrosssection, is essentially the same as in the previously describedinstance with the following exceptions. Here-the pattern of the closelypaired air jet holes 19' in layer 12' is arranged so that they aregrouped closely about each weld 20. Also, the inner layer 12 hasamaterial formation so as to cause it to be relatively slack within Thenet result of these modifications is that upon introduction of the hotair between the layers 11' and 12' of the cap the portions of the er 12.between the welds 20' will billow to a greater degree then thecomparable portions of the outer layer 11'.

Hair is usually set in curls before the use of a hair dryer. This meansthat the scalp will have a much thiner layer of hair between the curlsthan in the areas of the curls. If the hair dryer does not have somemeans of emphasizing the application of hot drying air to areas of theconcentrated moisture laden curls, uniformity of the drying process isnot as readily effected. With the modifications of FIG. 11 of thedrawings the relatively slack inner layer 12 of the cap will tend tomold itself more readily to the peripheral contour of the hair on thehead of the user. On hot dry air being introduced within the cap thelayers will billow and the air jets 19 will be disposed in optimumangularity to the curls on the head of the user. This is enabled by therelative slackness of inner layer 12 and position of the air jets whichcause a discharge of the drying air at more acute angles to the head.The air jets are more effectively applied to the wet curls by the angleof their inclination to filter therethrough. The dry air thus movestangentially to the scalp rather than perpendicular and minimizes thedirect impingement of the hot air on the scalp. This is important as asafety factor, particularly in the areas intermediate the curls. If theair jets are generally perpendicular to the head, the area between thecurls will get an undue amount of dry air directly thereon. This isavoided in each instance of embodiment of the invention and particularlyin the present instance. Hence, the advantage of the modification of theinvention of FIGS. 1l0 to insure optimum tilt of the air jets relativethe head surface is readily apparent, It might be commented that themethod of effecting the inner layer 1 to be slack relativethe outerlayer T1 is not limited as long as its relative character permits it toreadily shape to the real surface of the hair on flow of air through thecap. Such a hair dryer provides optimum drying efiiciency and affordsmaximum comfort and safety m use.

A preferred simplified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 12-15 ofthe drawings. This embodiment of the invention is basically effectedfrom a single flexible sheet 50 having a symmetrical outline to eitherside of a central longitudinal axis 51. The peripheral contour of sheet56 is that of a modified figure 8, formed by intersecting arcs 52curving out from the ends of axis 51 and converging inwardly to thecenter of fl1e axis 51 to intersect in substantially spaced relationthereto identicallly to either side thereof. The half section 53 of thesheet 50 to one side of the axis 51 has groupings of small jet apertures54 in uniformly spaced relation bounded by a substantial aperture freemargin at its boundaries. As will be obvious, on folding the sheet St)on axis 51 in the manner indicated in FIG. 13 of the drawings, thedouble curved peripheral portions of the half sections 5'3 and 55 may beWelded together to form a single envelope. A free fold is thus providedat the axis 51. The half sections of the sheet 5t? are then weldedtogether at locations uniformly spaced Within groupings of apertures 5din section 53 to provide Welds 60 confined by groups of apertures 54.The welds 6t) are provided with central apertures afiording vent holes56. The sheet 50 is of material elastically stretchable under pressure.It is noted the inner layer is given more slack by having fewer welds.

The envelope thus provided is folded centrally at right angles to theaxis 51 to dispose the jet apertures of section 53 to the outside. Theperipheral portions of the half sections of the envelope defined by theperipheral intersecting curves thereof are then heat welded forming acap With a projecting seam 57. By turning the cap inside out, this seamand the jet apertured section 53 of the cap are disposed inside. Anaperture 58 provided centrally of the extremities of section 55 of sheet50 adjacent fold axis 51 is provided with a defining plastic tubeconnector 59 and isnow disposed externally of the cap and to its rear.

A felt insulating strip 61 is connected to section 53 of sheet 50adjacent fold axis 51 to be disposed within the peripheral portion ofthe cap as fabricated, to its inner side adjacent the skin of thewearer. Thus, on introduction of hot dry air, the peripheral portion ofthe cap sealing to the neck of the wearer affords a protectiveinsulating layer adjacent the skin.

As may be seen from FIG. 14 of the drawings, the cap is placed over thehead of the wearer in immediate containing relation to the hair, thetube connector 59 being disposed at the nape of the neck immediatelyunder the hair to the back. The-substantial marginal displacement ofWelds 66 from fold axis 51, as provided in the section 53 of the cap,insures a substantial air channel at and fully about the cap peripherywhich is disposed at the periphery of the hair of the cap wearer.Suitable tubing from a blower is connected to adapter 59 for supplyingheated air within the cap. Upon introduction of the hot dry air throughthe adapter 59, in this instance the air will be channeled oppositely inthe peripheral portion of the cap directly from the rear to the front ofthe forehead. The elasticity of the cap material will cause theperiphery of the cap to expand on introduction of the hot air throughadapter 59 to the main peripheral air channel. This seals the cap to thewearer immediately at the hair periphery, the jet apertures '5 thusbeing disposed in coextensive spaccd relation over the hair. The airflow is completely controlled and has a minimum distance to travel fromits entrance. The drying air is uniformly metered from the peripheralchannel into the passages between welds defining the vent holes. Thebillowing of the cap between Welds 60 causes air to be vented throughthe jet holes 541 at acute angles to the hair and generally tangentialto the scalp. The elastic stretchable nature of the sheet material ofthe cap and the fact there are fewer welds provides a general moldingthereof to the curls projecting from the head and the acute angle ,ofthe jets will channel the air through the compacted curl portions to agreater degree. Since the air will be generally dirooted in acute anglefashion to the head there will be a minimum of direct application in theareas of the thinner hair. The air turns to steam in localized areas asit entrains the moisture and is jetted through the adjacent vent holesin a manner believed obvious.

This form of the invention is exceedingly simple to fabricate, safe touse and highly economical. Minimum skill and machinery is required inits fabrication and optimum eiiiciency results. The air has minimumdistance to travel in its channeled form and the localized emphasis ofair jets on the curls produced by the angularity of the jet holesresults in a uniform drying action and a fast evacuation of saturatedsteam from adjacent the scalp. The first sensation of heat 'Will besubstantially uniform over the entire head indicating that the dryingaction is completed.

It Will be readily seen that the various illustrative embodiments of thepresent invention not only introduce fimctional improvements in dryersbut safety features as well not within the capability of the devices ofthe prior art. Also, exceedingly simple means and methods of fabricatingsuch devices have been disclosed. The invention has been illustrativelypresented in various forms but it will be recognized by those versed inthe artthat the illustrative forms anticipate certain othermodifications and applications which are considered to lie Within thescope of the present invention.

A particular feature of the invention to be kept in mind is that Whilethorough and uniformdrying action is rapidly effected there is actuallya minimum of displacement or disturbance of the hair in the dryingprocess. The adspagias vantage of this feature will be readily obviousto those particularly versed in the hairdressingjart.

From the above description will be apparent that thus provided a deviceof the character described possessing the particular features ofadvantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously issusceptible of modification in form, proportion, detail construction andarrangement of part without departing from the principles involved orsacrificing any of their advantages. 7 p While in order to comply withthe statute the invention has been described in language more or lessspecific as to structural features, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the specific features shown but the meansand construction herein disclosed merely comprise modes by way ofexample of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described our invention, we claim: V l. A hair drying hoodin the form of a cap having a lower marginal edge portion for fittingabout the users head below the hair line comprising, outer and innersubstantially co-extensive superimposed layers of flexible materialjoined along their edges to provide an enclosure,

7 said outer and inner layers each consisting of matching half sectionsfoldable upon each other along a central fold line, said layers having-alower edge extending from opposite sides of one end of the fold line anda top and forward edge extending from'opposite sides of the other end ofthe fold line to the outer ends'of the lower edge in arcuate fashion,the superimposed top and forward edges of the half sections of the innerand outer layers being folded and sealed together throughout theirlength to provide a central seam in said hood, said layers being joinedat selectively spaced areas, means defining an air inlet in one of saidlayers for admitting air, between the layerswhereby billowing takesplace intermediate said joined areas, vent means in said joined areasand means defining air jet openings in said enclosure selectivelyarranged with respect to each of said vent means within the hood forjetting airto the inner side of thehood in localized relation to saidjoined areas.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1, said air inlet means beinglocated to communicate directly with areas within saidenclosure toeither side ofsaid seam, said joined areas of said hood being inuniformly spaced groups to either side of said scam, the spacing of thegroups of joined areas to either side of said seam being less than thespacing of said respective groups from said seam whereby to provide amain air channel to either side of said scam in direct communicationwith said air inlet means for quickly and uniformly distributing airthroughout the hood simultaneously to either side of said seam.'

3. A hair dryer comprising an envelope including inner and outer layersof flexible impermeable material in cap form, air inlet means in saidcap for introduction of air between said layers, means providing groupsof jet apertures in the inner layer of said envelope uniformly spacedover and generally coextensive therewith, means defined in said capaffording communication between the interior thereof and the atmospherewhen it is on the head of a user, the inner layer of said cap envelopebeing relatively slack whereby on introduction of air'within saidenvelope it will mold to the contour of the hair of the user to disposethe jet apertures so the drying air introduced in the 8. 5. A method offabricating a light weight flexible hair dryer including the steps ofcuttinga sheet of flexible material to provide identical sections toeither side of a longitudinal axis having boundaries defined byidentical arcs curving outwardly from the extremities of saidlongitudinal axis and inwardly in convergent relation to intersect atpoints equally spaced from the center of said longitudinal axis,punching groups of jet apertures in said sheet to one side of saidlongitudinal axis, and substantially spaced therefrom, folding saidsheet on said longitudinal axis and welding together the peripheralportions of its half sections, welding said half sections together atspaced intervals within their boundaries and forming vents in saidspaced welds and folding said folded sheet on a line defining theintersections of said identical arcs and welding together the Weldedarcuate peripheral portions of said half sections to form a cap.

6. A method of fabricating a flexible hair dryer including cuttingflexible sheet material to provide matching half sections, punchingspaced groups of jet apertures in one of said sections, punching an a rinlet aperture in the other of said sections, superimposing saidsections and peripherally sealing them to form an envelope, welding saidsheet sections together at uniformly spaced positions bounded by jetapertures in said one section, punching apertures in said weldedportions, folding said envelope on itself and Welding a peripheralportion thereof to form a cap.

7. A method of fabricating a light weight hair dryer including the stepsof cutting identical sections of sheet material, cutting jet aperturesin uniformly spaced groups in one section, cutting an air inlet aperturein the other section, superimposing said sections and sealing themtogether peripherally to form a double Walled envelope, welding saidsections together at spaced locations so as to be surrounded by jetapertures, punching vent holes in said spaced welded locations, foldingsaid envelope on itself and connecting together portions of itsperiphcry to form a cap for drying hair.

8. A hair dryer comprising a pair of superposed layers of flexiblematerial, including similar arcuate edge po-rtions, peripherally sealedto effect a closure and form an envelope therfiby, said envelope beingfolded 'on a line terminating centrally of said arcuate edge portionsand having said arcuate edge portions connected to form' a cap, saidarcuate edge portions providing a seam disposed to the inner side of thecap extending from its fore part to one endto a point spaced from itsrear part at its other end, means for introducing air within saidenvelope to the rear part of said cap adjacent said other end of saidseam, welds connecting said layers having vent holes therethroughafiording communication between the interior of said cap and atmosphere,the layer of material to the inner side of said cap having air jet holestherein uniformly disposed relative said welds, said welds being groupedto be substantially spaced to either side of said seam to form airchannels in said cap directly in communication with said air introducingmeans.

9. A hair dryer comprising a sheet of flexible material, having thegeneral outline of a figure 8, folded on cap, discharges relativelytangential to the head of. the

user.

4. A hair dryer including, superimposed identical layers of impermeablematerial peripherally connected to form a cap of envelope form, meansdefining an inlet inone of said layers for introducing drying air insaid cap, one of said layers being formed to be slack relative the otherand providing the iner layer of said cap, means defining spacedrjetapertures in said one' layer having their axes directed generallytangential to the head of the wearer of the cap in operating position,said cap having means for venting moisture saturated air from withinsaid cap.

a line through its center and sealed at its arcuate peripheral portions,which are superposed thereby, to

effect a closure providing an envelope, said envelope being folded atright angles to said line and further sealed at said arcuate peripheralportions to form a cap and a seam over the crown of, the cap, said seambeing disposed within said-cap'to extendrearwardly from its fore partshort of its rear, means defining an inlet to said envelope rearwardlyof said seam at the peripheral portion of said cap, the relativelyfolded portions of said sheet having welds connecting them atsubstantially uniformly spaced locations, said welds having vent holestherethrough affording communication between the interior of said capand the atmosphere, the portion of said folded sheet to the interior ofsaid cap having air jet holes therein disposed about said welds, saidwelds being grouped to be substantially spaced from the fold in saidsheet on said line through its center to form a main peripheral airchannel in said cap directly communicating with the inlet to saidenvelope for rapid and substantially uniform distribution of airthroughout said cap simultaneously to either side of said seam.

10. A hair dryer comprising a sheet of flexible material having thegeneral outline of a figure 8 folded on itself on a line through itscenter to superpose its arcuate peripheral portions, said peripheralportions being sealed together to elfect a closure providing anenvelope, said envelope being folded at right angles to said line andhaving said arcuate peripheral portions connected to form a cap and aseam centrally of its crown, means defining an air inlet to saidenvelope in line with said seam and communicating with either sidethereof, means defining connections between the relatively foldedportions of said sheet defining vent holes in said cap affordingcommunication between its interior and the atmosphere, and meansdefining jet openings in the portion of said sheet disposed within saidcap in surrounding relation to each of said connections defining ventholes in said cap.

11. A flexible lightweight hair dryer comprising an envelope structurein the form of a cap including an inner and an outer wall having meansdefining a main air inlet therein for introduction of air between saidinner and outer walls on a diametral axis over the crown of said cap,said envelope having said walls joined at spaced intervals to define amain air channel within said cap peripherally thereof, means providingpassages in said cap affording communication between the interior ofsaid cap and atmosphere and means defining jet apertures in the innerwall of said envelope structure whereby introduction of air between thewalls of said cap will cause at least the inner wall to billow andcontour to the hair of the user, disposing the jet apertures in acuteangular relation thereto whereby optimum uniform drying conditionsobtain.

12. A hair dryer comprising an envelope in cap form including an innerand an outer wall, said inner and outer walls being sealed together attheir periphery, means defining a further seal between said inner andouter walls on a line extending over the crown of said cap from its forepart, said cap walls being connected at generally uniformly spacedintervals to either side of said further seal, means defining vent holesin the connected portions of said walls affording communication betweenthe interior of said cap and the atmosphere when the cap is on the headof a user, means defining jet apertures in said inner wall of said capselectively positioned adjacent the vent holes and means defining an airinlet to said envelope for simultaneously introducing drying air in saidcap to either side of the further seal between said inner and outerwalls thereof.

13. A flexible lightweight hair dryer comprising an envelope structurein the form of a cap including a plurality of generally coextensiveperipherally connected layers of material, means providing spacedconnections between said layers defining main air channels in said caporiented on lines extending over its crown, directed from its fore partto its rear, at least a portion of said spaced connections beingarranged to provide for communication between said channels and thespace between said inner and outer layers of layers to respectivelyopposite sides of said channels, air inlet means defined in said cap tomutually communicate with said main air channels and the space betweensaid layers to either side thereof, the layer of said cap providing itsinterior surface having uniformly spaced jet apertures therein and meansprovided in said cap for sealing its peripheral edge about the head of auser.

14. A drying hood comprising a sealed flexible envelope including innerand outer layers formed to define a cap, means connecting said layers ona line over the crown of said cap, means defining jet "apertures in theinner layer of said cap to either side of said connecting means, meansproviding connections between said layers defining vents through saidenvelope spaced in areas intermediately of the jet apertures in theinner layer of said cap, means defining an air inlet arranged forsimultaneous introduction of a drying medium in said envelope to eitherside of said first mentioned connecting means and said cap being formedto provide it with a peripheral channel which inherently seals about thehead of the wearer on introduction of the drying medium therein.

15. A hair dryer comprising, an envelope including flexible material incap form, welds connecting said layers at substantially uniformly spacedlocations defining apertures therethrough, a portion of said welds beinglocated to bound and define a main air channel in said envelope, airinlet means connected with said main air channel in said envelope forinjecting air to uniformly flow therethrough and disperse naturallythrough said envelope around said welds to cause said envelope to billowbetween said welds, and means defining jet apertures in said innerlayer, adjacent said welds positioned by the billowing of said envelopeto discharge air therefrom the wearer of the envelope.

16. A hair dryer including, a cap structure of envelope form havinginner and outer layers of material respec tively defining its interiorand exterior and having means defining a maininlet thereto at itsperipheral boundary, welds connecting the layers of said envelope atspaced positions within its peripheral boundary and defining aperturestherethrough, the inner layer of said cap envelope.

having jet apertures therein about said welds, the periph eral portionsof said cap and the welds most adjacent thereto defining a substantiallyfree passage therebetween whereby hot dry air may be peripherallyintroduced to said cap causing an extended billowing at its periphery toinherently seal the cap to the head of the user and provide uniformdistribution of air between said welds to be jetted from said jet.apertures, and an insulating layer in the peripheral portion of said capscaling to the head of the user.

References Cited in the file of this patent at acute angles to the headof

